Maintaining a Youthful Appearance
It amazing how times flies by once you graduate from high school. I find myself taking a lot more care and concern as to how I treat my body. I found some tips to keeping a youthful appearance that I think is interesting.
Most women of color just do not think of sunscreen to protect their skin from the harsh rays of the sun. Some women experience fine lines, early wrinkles and sagging in their thirties which is caused by collagen breakdown and the environment. These tips are almost full-proof to defending your face. Ways to slow down aging is Coppertone Nutra-Shield Faces 70+ SPF with Dual Defenses and eating lots of vitamin C–rich citrus (the vitamin helps prevent collagen loss), and apply cream with a retinol or retinoid (a vitamin A derivative) every night to promote skin-cell growth.
Another way to stay youthful is to stay energized each day with vitamin B to ward off depression and promote cell producing energy. Vitamin B can be found in dairy, beans, meat, seafood, and eggs are good sources, but if you eat few (or none) of those foods, a supplement might make sense, according to Dr. Chrsitine Gustafson of integrative medicine in Alpharetta, Georgia .
I am starting to see a pattern here because I have heard the next topic before. Sleep should be a main priority to good health and appearance. Most women can blame high hormone levels for sleepless nights, in fact, we can point the finger at stress, too. Needless to say, rest enables us to be more equipped to fight off conditions, like memory loss, high blood pressure, and a weak immune system, all of which make you look and feel older. Dr. Gustafson recommends a magnesium supplement due to the body using the mineral quickly and a deficiency may lead to frequent sleep problems, possibly because it interrupts proper electrical activity in your brain. Almonds are rich in magnesium, for example.
Every decade that we acheive with age, we also begin to store more fat that we can only battle off by exercising. Have you heard of muscle confusion? It may help to change the way you exercise by the frequency, too. Try working out 20 minutes instead of an hour three days a week. As women, our hormone levels tend to store fat creating the tummy pooch, so it helps to adjust the structure of your eating to more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain, and lean meats to promote cells to burn fat better.
The last words of wisdom the Dr. Gustafson mentions is that we should exercise our brains. “Research shows people who do things with their minds tend to have less memory loss.” It is important to try something new periodically, so take a course at the local community college, a dance class, cooking course, a good book.
SUMMARY- TAKE YEARS OF BY DOING THE FOLLOWING
SLEEP EIGHT HOURS PER DAY- 5 YRS
STOP SMOKING – 20 YRS
LOSE TEN POUNDS- 5 YEARS
EXERCISE FIVE TIMES WEEK- 10 YRS
SUNBLOCK 30 SPF GIVES 20 YRS OFF FACE/BODY
Elie Saab Fashions
Spring is finally here and to celebrate the season I found more fashions on the runway. Elie Saab is well-known for his haute couture in the Middle East, where he showcases bejeweled gowns like princesses to his Beirut atelier. Saab began with in 1982, when he was only 18 years old, and officially launched his designs in Milan in 1998. This Lebanese designer is well-known for his aesthetic designs in feminine couture dresses, brilliantly colored silks, chiffons, pearl beading, and embroidered lace. Saab’s Middle Eastern detailing and European elegance has also appeared in Hollywood. Elie Saab designs can be found at Neiman Marcus.
Ralph Lauren this Spring
We have all heard of the Great Depression but the past few years may be marked in history as the Great Recession. Ralph Lauren has expressed his spring collection with reminiscent of the 1920s. Lauren’s artistic expression brings a whimsical and feminine style to his designs. I like the soft muted shades of blue and silver that still exude strength and character.
Breathtaking with whimsy.
We have encroached upon hard times again, but there is an air of anticipation that is cause for celebration. Here are Lauren’s thoughts about American resiliency. “I am inspired by the character of the worker, the farmer, the cowboy, the pioneer women of the prairies,” he wrote in his program notes. He decided to put the polo shirts on hold for a season to bring us some history. The models wore newsboy hats, faded and torn oversize jeans with blue workshirts, overalls, dresses with ankle socks and oxford heels.
Just like classic movies, Lauren brought forth a picture of romance, resilience, whimsy all at once. The fashion runway also touted the looks of white cotton organdy dresses and pinstriped three-pieces suits with cropped and gathered pants or trousers, work jackets and carpenter pants in blue ombré silk charmeuse, the nightshirts came striped with beads, and the overalls were transformed into a floor-grazing lamé dress. A pair of evening jeans, completely covered in silvery beads save for the fraying holes, took the concept to the limit. More of these fantastic designs can be viewed at
How To Boost your Energy
The editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch, Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D., explains that natural way s to boost your energy. Some us suffer from the fatigue during the afternoon, yet the last thing you will want to do is reach for a cup of java or a candybar. Dr. Robb-Nicholson shows her subscribers how to keep alert and productive without side effects.
Stress- induced emotions can zap your energy, so try a support group like your family and friends or a counselor. Set priorities in terms of what is most important to accomplish. I would like to add meditating on the Word of God to prevent circumstances getting bigger than God. There is nothing that He can not conquer. Avoid midday naps and try to develop a sleep pattern to set your internal clock. I know this works because I have tried it. Eat small meals with snacks spanning every few hours to maintain blood sugar and support the brain. Drink coffee before 2 p.m. daily. Drink plenty of water, of course. The last tips are to avoid alcohol and smoking, in fact create a habit of walking as little as fifteen minutes a day to maintain good cardio-exercise for your heart.
Mataano Designs
Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim are identical twins that made their debut in 2008. The Mohallim sisters created a new brand that is reminiscent of their culture and talents. They graduated from the University of Michigan and Boston University to move to New York City for fashion house internships before launching their own designs. The spring collection can be seen on mataano.com but they are also sold in boutiques in Washington, D.C. The designs range from chic dresses to their traditional African garb.
They made their mark in the fashion industry as Oprah Winfrey introduced the sisters and their clothing line to America on her show last year as young millionaire moguls. She commended them on their successful journey to catapult their careers as an emerging brand today.
Burberry Review
Burberry London was created in 1856 and is sold at fine stores like Sephora. There are many varieties in the collection to choose from, both men and women. Sephora sells the fragrances as gift sets or alone and the sets come with lotions or shower gel.
Burberry brand was inspired by the elegance and image of London. Currently, burberry has introduced a limited summer edition of the classic fragrance. This scent for women is made up of crisp, citrusy fruits like green apple, delicate flowers like freesia and water lily, mossy woods and musk for a rich and clean scent. It is a daytime fragrance perfect for the upcoming summer season. the scent can be applied to the skin or on clothes comes highly recommended because it seams to last longer this way.
What does Organic Food Mean?
The USDA gives an organic seal to crops that are raised without synthetic pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge (semisolid leftovers from waste water plants used as fertilizer). The organic animals even consume organic feed and are required to be exposed to nature. In other words, it is more costly to the farmer to go organic. The government standards are very critical with multiple certifying bodies and federal regulations. There are no treatments with antibiotics or growth hormones, so the organic labels mean the food synthetically treated to prolong shelf life.
Processed foods are everywhere you turn in the grocery store. The retail market makes sure the it is displayed on the outside of the aisles, for impulse shopping. Beware. The is a typical scheme to distract you from making healthy choices. Children are lured by commercials on Disney and Nickelodeon of sugar plums, dancing gummi candy, talking chocolate cookies. Adult television is not much better, though. Our commercials leave us desiring things that we did not want until we saw it before our eyes.
I have tried preparing my meals before I go to the store to prevent impulse buying. I have a cash only policy for grocery shopping, that way I do not overspend my budget. It has been an interesting experience for me to make these changes so that I can create other goals.
Just because we are in this world, does not mean we have to follow their lead. Right? I can be my leader and show my children how to do the same. God made fruits and vegetables to provide nourishment, healing, and energy for the human body. A gift like this should not be tampered or engineered, yet it is widely accepted.
Breakfast: The Fuel to Start Your Day
I do not know about you but breakfast is a must to start my day. It is also what I eat that helps. A simple donut and juice or coffee will only leave me on edge and cranky. I have to eat proteins and whole grains to make the day a good one.
Studies have shown that kids given breakfast performed better at school than kids who did not eat in the morning. Also, eating a good breakfast helps to lose weight or maintain it. Protein and fiber satisfy your hunger and give you that full feeling until lunch. A midday snack of granola and seeds, soy, other nuts.
Take a look at this meal plan from Bob Greene:
Oatmeal Topped with Almonds and Berries
1 cup cooked plain oatmeal
3/4 cup raspberries, fresh or thawed from frozen
2 Tbsp. almonds
1 cup nonfat milk (optional: use some of the milk in cooking the oatmeal)
Combine oatmeal, raspberries and almonds. Serve with remaining nonfat milk.
Financial Freedom Part I
March 17, 2010 by Tanja
Filed under Haute Money
When I was a little girl my mother showed me how to give, save, and spend money. It was a special moment for me to go up to the altar and give God part of the money I earned as a child. As an adult I have realized the importance of it all. This is God’s money and I merely inherited it as His child.
The Parable of Talents: Matt 25:16 and 21 says “The man who received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more talents…”His master replied, well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things…”. As you invest your money, it is primarily important to tithe and give offerings to the church. The Bible provides us with God’s blueprint to financial stability and it is in our best interest to follow His instruction.
God Provides Details: Ephesians 5:1 and 2 discusses the art of being imitators of God, as his children and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. It does not sound as if God’s children were meant to be poor but spiritually prosperous.
Proverbs 21:20 says “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” This means that we should give to God our first or best in all areas of our life. As we work, spend our money, or save. The instructions are essential to being a prosperous member to the body of Christ. There is so much work to be done! Each of us has a crucial part to play.
by Tanja Robinson, Freelance Writer and Financial Speaker
Think Twice Before You Buy
It is a waste of your time to buy toner. Toner is no longer needed now that cleansers no longer leave a filmy residue on the skin. Another unnecessary product is the neck cream. A more affordable treatment would be to use a moisturizer with sunscreen by day and a retinol cream each night. Got dry flaky lips? A simple lip balm will help provide a remedy to the situation instead of a lip exfoliator. Also, if they are super flaky, try removing it by using a tissue and lightly rubbing it over your lips. Have you seen the foot mask? It is better to use the use a moisturizer to smooth out dry cracked skin than the mask. Finally, cellulite dissolving creams, foams, lotions or pills. A good sunscreen will prevent a loss of collagen which, UV rays can cause the skin to become more dimpled.
